PFF draft board: Atlanta Falcons

PFF is putting together team-specific draft boards for all 32 teams, using our draft rankings and our evaluation of how each player fits in specific schemes.

Included are three ideal targets for each team with their first-, second- and third-round picks, along with the complete interactive team-specific draft board including every player in PFF’s draft rankings.

Here is the entry for the Atlanta Falcons:

Round 1 (17th overall)

Even with the Mohamed Sanu signing, Atlanta could stand to load up with skill-position talent, as the Julio Jones one-man show is simply not enough. Adding Coleman would provide QB Matt Ryan with another dynamic threat, capable of separating at all levels of the field and creating after the catch.

One of the best fits for the Falcons in the draft, Floyd adds a versatile option, as his dabbling as an off-the-ball linebacker at Georgia can give him an early-down role in the Falcons defense. He’ll then rush off the edge in passing situations, taking advantage of his No. 4 pass-rush grade in the draft class.

Whitehair will be an unexciting, yet necessary, pick for some team in the middle of the first round, and the tackle-convert would fit in nicely in Atlanta’s zone scheme. Whitehair was the nation’s top-graded offensive tackle in 2015.

Round 2 (50th overall)

Westerman is another good fit for Atlanta’s system and he’s one of the best pass-protecting guards in the draft. He’s not as clean as a run-blocker, but he has the athleticism to excel for the Falcons.

The Falcons have tried a number of different options on the defensive line in recent years, and Washington adds another big body who can play either 3-technique defensive tackle or perhaps 1-technique DT in a pinch. He’s not great in any one area, but his +32.0 pass rush grade ranked third in the nation last season.

A possible linebacker at the next level, Cravens fits the strong safety position in Atlanta’s system as it’s essentially an in-the-box position. He’s strong all-around, taking on blocks in the run game and showing the instincts to play short zones in coverage.

Round 3 (81st overall)

VanHoose isn’t a fit for every team, but he’s strong in zone coverage and that would fit in nicely in Atlanta’s cover-3 system. He posted the top coverage grade among the cornerbacks in the draft class.

Another interior pass-rushing option, Latham is very good mid-round value as he can step right in as an interior rusher (eighth in the nation in 2015) while he develops as a run defender. He uses his hands well and would slot in as a big 3-technique defensive tackle for the Falcons with the ability to play their 5-technique DE role if necessary.

Similar to Floyd, Fackrell can work as a base outside linebacker, setting the edge in the run game, while rushing the passer in nickel situations. His +25.3 pass-rush grade on 212 rushes ranked 11th in the draft class, and he proved competent on his 192 drops into coverage (+2.0).